Jets vs. Dolphins, November 4, 2012: 41-17

In the Meadowlands, the New York Jets defeated the Chad Pennington-led Miami Dolphins, 41-17, in a game that was closer than the score would lead to believe—at least, offensively.

Ronnie Brown ran for 103 yards and a touchdown against the normally stingy Tony Dungy-coached Jets defense, including a 31-yarder. And Chad Pennington did throw for nearly 200 yards.

Unfortunately, he also threw a season-high five interceptions against the league's best secondary.

Kerry Rhodes made it look easy, picking off two in the first quarter—including one for a touchdown. Darrelle Revis added another pick returned for a score, robbing Ted Ginn of a potential catch.

Down 17-0 before the second quarter had even begun, the Dolphins and Pennington were in serious straits. But a field goal and two good scoring drives from Pennington (aided in part by an interception by Jets QB Earl Harper) led to an improbably tied game at 17-17 near the end of the first half. Then Harper, mostly with the help of second-string rising star WRs Tayshaun Schroeder and Brad Smith, led the Jets to a field goal before halftime.

As for the Dolphins, they would never score again, despite outgaining the Jets in total yardage, 310 to 256.

Thomas Jones gained 82 yards and two touchdowns, though mostly in the fourth quarter when the Jets were running out the clock. A conservative gameplan aided by a few great catches by TE Chris Baker, including a well-executed play-action touchdown, sealed the game against a Dolphins defense that played gritty, but not enough to win the game.

Earl Harper, the quarterback the Jets picked up in free agency last year after trading Chad Pennington to the Dolphins for a first-round pick, was unspectacular yet good enough to win, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions, and only 188 yards. His QB rating was 50.1, and this year is averaging a miserable 53.7. But does it matter? Last year they went undefeated with Harper, a perfect 19-0. This year they are 7-1. Dungy has imprinted his defensive philosophy, but the offense is yet to be spectacular, despite having Randy Moss back in full health (4 catches for 61 yards, no touchdowns, and only two for the season). 

But with a defensive front this good, only a mediocre offense is necessary.

Next week, the Patriots. They are 4-4, and need this win.

So do the Jets.